The 10 Best E-Bike Accessories

Jun 12, 2023 — More fun, more speed and less effort than a bicycle. E-bikes seem like a no-brainer. But not so fast! Injury rates are similar to motorcycles, except most people gear up for e-biking like they do for pedal biking: with half a helmet, stretchy pants and happy thoughts.

Don’t get me wrong, a suit of armor on an e-bike is as impractical as chainmail underwear. Moving is important, but so is having more armor than your typical pedal biker. Which is why I put together a list of essential gear picks for the e-biker of today. Maximum mobility, with a step up in protection and visibility.

1. MIPS Helmet

Say it with me, MIPS is a must. Having already shown its merit in the motorcycling world, cycling helmets with “Multi-directional Impact Protection System” have been shown to reduce rotational forces resulting from impact. Best in class protection, and you barely notice it’s there to begin with.

Some other nifty and useful features include an LED on the back of the helmet, as well as eyeglass grippers. The former makes you even more visible, the latter ensures your eye protection stays on.

In terms of coverage, it’s always preferable to have more of your head covered than less. Heck, some people ride with a dirt bike helmet. It’s not a bad idea, but it can limit aerodynamic capability and feel a little too wonky. Ideally, go with a MIPS cycling helmet that feels comfortable and lightweight. It’ll do its job!

2. Sunglasses

Rain or shine, having something that keeps dust, bugs, water and debris away from your face is a must. If you want something that can do it all, consider progressive lenses that go darker in the sun, and clear at night.

Especially at higher speeds, sunglasses are an absolute lifesaver and they’re budget-friendly to boot.

3. Chest Protector

Any kind of body protector, armored or impact shirt will do. The goal here is to protect your chest and back, and there are many lightweight and breathable options out there that do just that. Also, if you’re riding near vehicle traffic, the chest protector will serve you well by shielding you from road debris.

4. Elbow & Knee Pads

Apart from the head & hands, the other most common impact zones. If ever you do take a nasty tumble, you’ll be glad you scraped these instead of using your own skin.

Oftentimes, a good piece of body armor or armored pants will cover most of the key areas, but if you want to keep it breezy, get some vented pads and wear them separately. They’re typically less expensive and just as protective as having full armor.

5. Gloves

Here’s where most will try to look cool and opt for fingerless gloves. Don’t. I would recommend going with dirt bike gloves, as they tend to offer some palm, finger and knuckle protection while retaining breathability and feedback.

When you’re moving fast enough for you to go flying, you’re going to use your hands to break a potential fall. Gloves with full coverage just make sense, and they’re cheap.

6. Lights

These days, it’s pretty common for e-bikes to include a headlight and tail light, but this is not always the case. Plus, the stock options provided just don’t typically have that much power. At the very least, I would recommend aftermarket lights for the front and rear. They can easily be clipped on and charged via USB.

Also on the topic of visibility, it goes without saying that doing anything which makes you more visible on the road is a good thing, so have at it with reflectors, neon rim tape and all that jazz.

7. Rearview Mirrors

Making yourself seen, that’s one thing. Actually seeing as much as possible, is another. Sure, you could rely on your neck’s flexibility, but it’s always a good thing to be aware of your surroundings. If there’s a madman driving erratically further behind you, you’ll see it. If another cyclist is coming at you at warp speed but it’s a 1 lane bike path, you’ll see it.

This is another cheap mod with insane value. Once it’s installed, it’s something you never take off.

8. Tool Kit

Sometimes, even the smoothest rides can go awry. It’s important to have a portable tool kit handy (at the very least a multitool, puncture repair tool, and pump if space allows), mounted somewhere on the bike or kept on one’s person, especially for longer distances.

There are a few options here, so be as minimalist or as prepared as the situation dictates.

9. E-Bike Lock

If you’ve ever left your e-bike outside ever, this one’s for you. With these particular bikes being much more expensive, a high quality lock gives you some peace of mind. And please, no flimsy wire locks you would use on securing your heirloom of a bicycle. I’d recommend brands that specialize in this sort of thing, like ABUS and Kryptonite. If it also has an alarm system, even better.

10. Phone Holder

You could debate on the necessity of such a thing, but it’s nice to have when you’re unsure about directions. This is on almost every urban e-bike nowadays, and it’s a great tool to discover new places while navigating conveniently and safely.

A Bonus Tip

Whatever you’re doing on your own usually becomes safer with the right riding buddy. Having someone to watch your back or someone with experience to lean on can be a great idea if you’re starting out or if the chaos of the urban landscape is a bit much at times.

After all, it’s really about enjoying the electrifying experience that is e-biking. Watt more could you ask for?